Health & Fitness

I feel like everyone is constantly on this “goal” to slim down. Post Christmas everyone’s on their New Year’s resolution kick, then it’s Spring Break, then the infamous swimsuit season, then back-to-school time, and finally the “Oh no it’s winter break, I need to work off Thanksgiving and not let my friends and fam think that I’ve put on weight” time of year. Just like that we’re at the end of the year and the grueling cycle starts all over again. But why do we constantly need an excuse to look good? I think having good health is better than any of those reasons to look good combined. Throughout the years, I’ve gathered little tactics here and there of ways I can work out when I simply don’t have time to hit the gym. We these simple pieces of advice, you can still maintain a trim figure without a superficial excuse and killing yourself at the last minute. So enjoy! I hope this helps…

1. Eat breakfast: It doesn’t even have to be big! Did you know by eating something small every morning, you jump start your metabolism? That means anything you eat throughout the day will sit in your stomach for less time because your body has already gotten a jump start on your day! If I can’t sit down for a gourmet breakfast or even cereal (I usually can’t), Ill grab a granola bar or crackers on the way out and have myself a quick and easy breakfast.
2. Drink water: It makes perfect sense. A bottle of water in the morning and water throughout the day (the recommended 6-8 servings) will help the food in your system break down more quickly and easily. Also, it will help dilute the bad nutrients packed in those foods we like to guiltily indulge in.
3. Take the stairs: Yes, the elevator is MUCH more convenient. However, taking the elevator will burn 2 calories, while taking the stairs will burn about 10 calories per minute. Also, walking up the stairs at a slower pace is actually encouraged! It helps you burn more calories while getting you from point A to point B.
4. Flex your stomach: Don’t have time to sit down and crank out some crunches? Do them standing up. Seriously. I started this thing a few years ago where I periodically flex my stomach, especially when I’m walking. When I’d flex my stomach, while walking, I could feel all sides of my stomach being worked out. Even when I sat down, flexing my stomach felt like I was doing crunches. It wasn’t until the next day, when I realized I was sore, that I knew it was working. Call me crazy, but I swear I saw results just a few weeks later. So try it out! I feel more toned and maybe you will too!
5. Park a little farther away: There’s no parking left. So instead of parking in the far spot, you keep driving around and around waiting for a closer spot to open up. Wasted gas and time later, a spot opens up. Excuse me, what’s wrong with the far away spot? Sometimes I park far away even when there is a closer option available because that extra walk really does make all the difference. You can save yourself the time and money by getting a small cardio work out!
6. Take a walk: Right after I eat, I can feel all of my food sitting in my stomach. As full and satisfied as I am, sometimes sitting down for a long period of time after a large meal makes me feel very fatigued. So, take a small walk. By taking a small walk around the office or the house gets your digestive system going so you can get rid of that fatigued, full feel and get your metabolism pumping.
7. Snack: Eating healthy doesn’t mean deprivation. That’s a common misconception. Remember, everything is okay in moderation. Also, having a couple of snacks throughout the day will keep your metabolism going and prevent you from binge eating at meal times. So, go ahead, have a sensible snack.
8. Fidget: People never tend to count the calories they burn outside a gym setting. What you don’t know is things like sitting at a desk, while doing homework, and reaching for your books or shifting in your seat requires energy becomes a small work out in itself! Try I for yourself, readjust or take a stretch break.
9. Laugh: Remember those times you laughed so hard your stomach hurt? I’m not saying fake laugh, but hey, surround yourself with people that make you laugh, watch a funny movie or contribute to a joke. The added humor will benefit stress relief, too.
10. Listen to music: I’m not sure why this happens but when I listen to face paced, fun music (I cannot live without my IPOD), I’ll find myself walking, dancing, and washing the dishes faster. I have more energy, as well. Listening to music is another simple way to inadvertently boost your energy throughout the day!

These are 10 tips I’ve taken with me every day for the last 3 years. I went from goal to goal to cement a lifestyle helping me look and feel healthier. I hope they can help you too!

–Olive Krawczyk